By Carol Stiffler
Local schools were closed Monday, and some remained closed on Tuesday, in the wake of one of the most serious ice storms in Michigan’s history.
Massive power outages occurred in the Eastern Upper Peninsula—at one point on Monday, nearly 25% of Cloverland Electric Company’s customers were out of power. Not all power had been restored by press time on Tuesday.
The Mackinac Bridge closed for three hours on Monday and was closed at press time on Tuesday because massive chunks of ice were falling from bridge supports high above traffic.
The storm was expected to be a doozy, and the National Weather Service had issued ice storm warnings days in advance. Their predictions were accurate.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for specific hard-hit counties on Monday, including only Mackinac County from the U.P. The emergency declaration makes state resources available in cooperation with local response efforts, and enables the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) to coordinate efforts beyond what they had already been providing.
Schools in Mackinac County, including Engadine Consolidated Schools and Three Lakes Academy, were asked to remain closed on Tuesday so crews could focus on restoring power and services. Classes were expected to resume today.
Engadine schools were offered to nearby residents as a warming station for residents still without power. At press time on Tuesday, nearly 24% of Mackinac County was still out of power, including some residents in the Engadine and Gould City areas.
Newberry Village Manager Allison Watkins said village residents didn’t lose power, thanks to proactive tree trimming near power lines and right of ways.
“We did not lose power and did not need generators,” Watkins said. “We have been deliberate the last few years about clearing back limbs and trees from our lines, and it has helped reduce outages during storms and high winds. It has also reduced the number of outages due to squirrels.”
The heavy ice burden caused some trees and large limbs to drop on roads, lawns, and power lines – sometimes breaking the power pole, too.
“If a broken tree or limb is located near power lines or lying on your home, don’t try to remove it yourself,” said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forestry program manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in a news release. “Stay away from downed lines or trees or branches that are leaning on lines and call your utility company immediately.”
Cloverland Electric reported restoring more than 20,000 connections by mid-day on Tuesday, with about 3,800 left to clear. Ten mutual aid crews are assisting Cloverland crews with the restoration work. They stay on duty until 11 p.m., when they reach a mandated rest period. Crews return to the effort early in the morning.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel encouraged residents to be on guard for post-storm scams, when some bad actors may contact consumers with the lie that they’ve been selected to receive government funding that requires them to pay an early deposit.
Nessel advises homeowners contact their insurance company and speak to local contractors before signing any work contract.
